Legislation has been introduced to prohibit Bridge cards from being used to withdraw cash from ATMs at liquor stores or strip clubs in Michigan.

The bills were introduced Thursday by state Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, and state Reps Margaret O'Brien, R-Portage, and Dale Zorn, R-Ida.

“This is common-sense legislation that benefits both those who truly need government assistance, as well as the taxpayers who bear the cost burden of funding these benefits," O’Brien said in press release.

The legislation would amend a law passed last year prohibiting withdraws from welfare cash assistance accounts at casinos.

Michigan has about 55,000 families or cases where Bridge Cards can be used to access welfare cash benefits.

“Obviously people should be buying clothing for their children, toothpaste, toilet paper – all of the necessities,” Jones said. “Whenever it’s abused, usually it’s the children that suffer.”

The Michigan Department of Human Services supports the legislation.

Strip clubs are not authorized EBT retailers by the federal government, said DHS spokesman David Akerly. But if someone has a cash welfare account on their Bridge Card, it could be used at any ATM, even one in a strip club, under the current system.